Oh, the irony! Recently we received the passport for our puppy. He has had his rabies jab and is ready to go. The question is ‘when’? Although we don’t know how the regulations will have changed after Brexit, you only need to look at the cover of Zeph’s passport to work out that it won’t be valid.
It seems unbelievable that it is now over a year since we last set foot in our French house.
Our house backs on to the Canal du Midi and I have long dreamt of opening the back gate, walking along the towpath, into Castelnaudary, with a dog by my side. We would go to my favourite café and sit on the terrace with a strong coffee or cold beer, depending on the time and weather.
Here in the UK, we have just come out of Lockdown 2 and are now living with the latest tier system. I have found this second lockdown more challenging than the first but I can’t really articulate why. Dogs have no trouble with lockdowns, loving the extra attention and walks!
On the fourth of December, Zeph will be seven months old. How did that happen? He will be an ‘adolescent’ dog. According to the Blue Cross, ‘ your puppy is now a ‘teenager’. Just like their human equivalents, dog teenagers vary hugely – some may temporarily go off the rails, some may become a little more anxious than usual and some may remain steady and easy going throughout.’
Up till now, Zeph has been making good progress and we are able to let him off the lead where it is safe to do so. He is starting his Intermediate Training Classes this weekend and it will be interesting to see what he learns.
November has been a groundhog month with two dog walks a day but not much else happening. This gives me a golden opportunity to share some of Zeph’s best (?!) moments.
Border Collies are working dogs and it is said that they will go ‘self employed’ if they are not suitably occupied. Zeph decided that he might like to try his paw at gardening. In the photos below, he is ‘helping’ to prepare the pots for winter.
Zeph has become a nosey dog, as he is now able to spy on the neighbours. Perhaps he is thinking about running the Neighbourhood Watch! He also looks very tall/long in this photo and is evidence of how much he has grown.
You may remember Zeph’s impersonation of a horse It’s a dog life… – Fancying France
He’s now added rhino to his repertoire!
The weather lately has not been conducive to dog walking – extremely wet and muddy! Zeph loves water. Here he is practising his ‘doggie paddle!’
This final picture shows when I love Zeph the most – when he’s asleep. Not true, of course!
Fancying France 
Good to see that Zeph now has his own passport. Reading the newspaper earlier it seems as though France may be added to the travel corridor next week enabling you to make a return visit in the new year! That’s a part of France we’d like to visit too – hopefully on a canal boat trip!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m guessing we’ll go back in the Spring but my husband may go before then to check that the house is secure etc after the break-in. I imagine that a canal boat trip would be a wonderful way to discover the area. You could pop in for a cup of tea or glass of wine, Marion
LikeLike
That sounds wonderful June! Do you have a neighbour keeping an eye on your home in France and what about the garden? I’m sure that Zeph will love it there ! Hope you have a good weekend!
LikeLiked by 1 person
We have a couple from an organisation called ‘Les Bons Voisins’ who check everything for us. They’re lovely people and have become friends. The guy is a trained landscape gardener and tree surgeon but he can turn his hand to most things. It makes life a lot easier knowing they are there, Marion.
LikeLike
That’s ideal then June giving you peace of mind when you are not there. Hopefully you’ll be able to enjoy visiting again before too long!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Heavens, he has grown! We adopted a Border Collie Mix this summer. He looks BC but is too tall so has to have something else in those genetics. And he is a very busy boy too. I am hoping to get Darcy in some type of training ( probably at PetSmart) because he needs it and we don’t seem to know quite how to do it successfully.
I hope you get his passport problem taken care of.
LikeLiked by 2 people
He certainly has! You could always get your dog’s DNA tested to see what else might be in his mix. One of the things I like about Border Collies is that they come in a range of colours, shapes and sizes and generally they’re not too interbred. I think dog training is brilliant, equally for the owners! The passport issue is what happens after the dreaded Brexit, so it’s out of our hands, unfortunately, Terri.
LikeLiked by 1 person
He he he 🙂 Have 2 cats won’t travel😸 sorry ya miss your place in France
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks for dropping by and your kind words! Cats are a different kettle of fish, of course – haha!
LikeLiked by 1 person
A kettle of fish is putting it lightly , my kitties are a bag of worms sometimes 😸
LikeLike
Wow, how Zeph has grown! I hope you get his passport sorted out because I know that you would not go unless he can go too. He is one busy fellow but that goes with the breed. Darcy is the same way. It’s lucky that you can have training lessons. Darcy really needs them but until this pandemic is over, it not even a proposition-I don’t think there are any lessons to be had around here at this time.
And what is it with water? I thought it was just a weird thing that Darcy did and there is Zeph doing the same thing. Think they want to herd the fish?
That last picture is so funny-just played himself out!
Take care, Terri
LikeLiked by 2 people
You’re absolutely right, Border Collies are a very busy breed! Our training classes are limited to 5, take place outside and are compliant with all the pandemic rules. We are very lucky to have them. It’s funny that Darcy does the same with water. Yes, I’m sure they’re herding fish!
LikeLike
Woops, didn’t think my first comment went through and just wrote aging-sorry
LikeLiked by 1 person
No need to apologise, Terri!
LikeLike
Lovely to read a Zeph update! He looks like he enjoyed his gardening 😉 I hope you get to use his passport soon enough.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Zeph enjoyed his gardening but I didn’t! The issue with his passport is that it will no longer be valid after Brexit. We have no choice but to wait and see what happens. Thanks for commenting!
LikeLike
Ton chien est très mignon! How cool to have a house in France as well! I hope you can get back there soon!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Merci! Oui, on a de la chance!
LikeLike
Oh my goodness – Zeph is huge! Love the photo of him stretching u[p to the sink. But then, teenagers do grow in leaps and bounds. What a pain that his passport won’t be valid . You must be really missing your house. I know how much you love to be there.
LikeLiked by 2 people
He’s definitely grown! He looks very tall when he’s standing on his hind legs. Border Collies do vary considerably in size and his parents are on the larger end of the scale, so I assume he might be as well. I try not to dwell too much on the house; there are worse things that could happen but I do miss being there.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Zeph!!! He’s so beautiful! I hope he gets to come visit France with you soon.
LikeLiked by 2 people
He says ‘hi’ back! I think he’s very handsome but I am biased. I can’t wait to take him to France, especially to the Canal du Midi.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a lovely dog! I wish I could have pets in my city flat!
LikeLiked by 2 people
He is but I’m biased!
LikeLike
Hi, June, I thought I’d already commented on this post, but I guess not! (Or did it go into your spam folder??) Zeph is so handsome. I agree – it’ll be awesome to travel freely again. 🌞
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Lisa! Thanks for trying to comment. I guess WordPress has the odd issues like most technology. I do check the spam folder quite regularly but your comment hasn’t turned up there. I’m totally biased when it comes to Zeph and the ability to travel further afield will definitely be awesome!
LikeLike